Coin-freed mechanism.



C. B. HIBBERD.

COIN FREED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

1,006,21 5, Patented Oct. 17, 1911 6 SHEETSSHBET 1.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

C. E. HIBBERD. 00m FREED MECHANISM. Y

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 BHBETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMIIA WRAFN C0" WASHING'IDN. I). C.

9m 1m 6W 1W Mk4 11. m

O. E. HIBBERD. I COIN FREED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14, 1909.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

9M AM 5% 112m A, Wall/ 11111772171 COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAFH (10., WASHINGTON. B c.

G. E. HIBBERD.

COIN FREED MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED AUG.14, 1909.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHBBT 4.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0., WAS-HINOI'ON, D, C.

G. E. HIBBERD. com FREED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

1,006,215, r v Patented Oct. 17,1911.

6 SHEET$-SHEET 5.

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C. B. HIBBERD.

COIN FREED MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 14, 1909.

Patented Oct. 17, 191 1.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0-, WASHINGTON. n, c.

FATT

CHARLES EDWIN I-IIBBEB-D, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE I-IIBIBERD PREPAYMENT MACHINE SYNDICATE LIMITED, OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND,

A CORPORATION OF NEW ZEALAND.

COIN-FREED MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES EDWIN HIB- BERD, subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 17 Victoria street, London, S. England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Coin-Freed Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coin freed mechanism and, although applicable to machines adapted to receive only one size of coin, is more especially useful in a machine adapted to receive different valued coins and provide an amount of the commodity corresponding to the value of the coin inserted.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved form of mechanism which is simple in construction and operation and may be cheaply produced.

An important part of the invention is the mechanism by which the inserted coin is con trolled so that, upon the movement of the operating handle, the desired movement is given to the commodity-controlling means. This mechanism may be applied to electricity, gas or other meters or to any coinfreed mechanism and consists of a pair of vertical leaves or plates pivoted together and adapted, when closed to permit the insertion of the coin between them and, by suitable projections on the insides of the leaves, to arrest the coin in a predetermined position therein. When adapted for taking any of a series of different valued coins, each different kind is arrested in a different predeter mined position within the coin holder. The leaves are adapted to be rotated by the operating handle until one of them is stopped by the engagement of the coin with a stop, the movement of this leaf being communicated to the commodity-controlling means. A further movement of the handle moves the other leaf forward and ejects the coin.

A further important feature of this invention lies in the arrangement, when applied to an electricity meter, of the means for controlling the switch and the means for producing a dimming effect upon the light or lights prior to the cut off of the current as a warning to the consumer.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention: Figure 1 is a general front elevation of a coin freed Specification of Letters Patent.

Appfication filed August 14, 1909.

Patented Oct. 1'7, 1911.

Serial No. 512,806.

electricity meter constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan thereof; Fig. 3 is a detail partial elevation hereinafter referred to; Fig. A is an elevation of the leaves forming the coin holder shown in open position, the driving gear therefor being shown in section; Fig. 5 is a sectional plan on the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional plan on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4; Figs. 7 and 8 are side elevations of the switch actuating mechanism showing the same in different positions; Fig. 9 is an outside elevation of the meter; Fig. 10 is an ele vation of the coin holder as applied to a gas meter; Fig. 11 is a plan view of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a detail sectional plan of the coin slot closer, and Fig. 13 is an outside view of the gas meter.

Referring first to Figs. 1-9; the two vertical leaves a and Z) are rotatably mount ed upon a vertical spindle 0. The forward lead 2') that is the one in front in the direction of rotation, is connected with the operating handle (Z so as to be driven positively thereby. This connection consists of a forked member 6 upon the leaf 6 and a projection f upon the shaft 9 of the operating handle. The rear leaf on is independent of the operating handle (Z and when the two leaves are closed together as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, they form a coin holder into which the coin can be inserted near the top at h.

A. series of arms 2' are pivoted on the rear leaf each adapted when depressed at the inner end to release the stop on which prevents movement of the coin holder prior to the insertion of a coin. The inner end of each arm is pivoted with a pin a projecting inside by a coin of certain size, the coin being supported partly by this pin a and partly by another projection 0 on the rear leaf a. The arms 2' are arranged one below the other and each one is operated by a different sized coin which is stopped in a corresponding position within the coin holder. In Fig. 4 the largest sized coin to be used is shown dotted in operating position.

When any one of the arms 2' is operated by a coin the bolt 29 is raised owing to the engagement of the outer end of the arm 11 with a corresponding projection 51 on the bolt p. The bolt 27 is preferably made in two portions so that the smallest coin used has only to raise a portion r of the bolt. The raising of the bolt permits the stop we to move forward. The front or driving leaf 5 is provided with an ejector s for each sized coin, such ejectors being hooked shaped as shown in Fig. 5 and adapted to pass through slots t in the rear leaf (4 so that they lie behind the coins when the leaves are closed up.

Upon the insertion of a coin and with the parts in normal position such coin depresses its corresponding pivoted arm 2' (thus releasing the stop m) and is arrested in the coin holder. The operating handle (Z is now rotated moving with it the front leaf Z2 and also dragging around the rear leaf a through the medium of a catch a carried by the spring 0 secured to the top of the front leaf 5.

When opening or closing the leaves a and Z) the cam projection w forces the catch a rearwardly against the action of the spring 22 whereby the opening or closing can only be effected when the leaf a is positively arrested.

The rear leaf a is provided with a notch m at its edge opposite each coin so that the coin projects into this notch as shown in Fig. 4 and, upon rotation of the coin holder, engages a fixed stop y which in the absence of the coin would pass freely through the notch. These fixed stops 3 are arranged at difierent positions so that the amount of rotation of the rear leaf a is proportional to the value of the coin in the holder.

When the coin and rear leaf are arrested the continued rotation of the opening handle (Z carries the front leaf 6 forward the aforesaid catch 10 becoming disengaged, and the coin is ejected and falls into a suitable receptacle or till 2.

The rear leaf a carries a pawl 2 adapted to engage and drive in the forward direction only a ratchet wheel 3 rigidly fixed to the vertical spindle 0. This spindle also has fixed upon it a disk 1 having circumferential perforations5 adapted to prevent over-running as hereinafter described, and a con trolling gear wheel 6 which communicates motion through any suitable train of gearing 7 to the commodity controlling means.

In the case of an electricity meter I prefer to adapt the train of gearing 7 to oper ate a disk 8 having a single hole 9 which is arranged at the same distance from the axis of the disk as a pin 10 mounted upon an arm 11 which rotates about the same axis. This arm 11 is carried by the spindle 12 rotated by suitable gearing as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 from the armature (not shown) of the meter motor 13 and is adapted to move axially under the action of a throw out spring 14; so that the pin 10 may engage the said hole 9. This axial movement is utilized to control the switch and said movement takes place in two steps. Assuming the meter motor 13 to be running and no coin inserted the disk 8 remains stationary and the pin 9, gradually approaches the hole 10 and finally enters the same but is only allowed, by means of a step 15, to pass partly there through. This action moves the switch so as to throw in a resistance and cause a dimming of the lights. This is preferably effected by arranging two projections 16, 17 on the switch arm 18 the projection 16 engaging a pair of contacts 19, 20 and the projection 17 another pair of contacts 21, 22. lVhen both projections are on their contacts the current passes direct to the lights but when moved out until only the pair of con tacts 21, 22 are arranged the current is caused to pass through a resistance 23. hen both projections are in engagement with their contacts the current pases in at the contact 22, through projection 17, contact 21, bridge piece 24, contact 20, projection 16, contact 19, and then to lights. Vhen only projection 17 is in engagement with its con tacts the current passes in at contact 22 through projection 17 contact 21, lead 25, re sistance 23, lead 26, contact 19 and then to lights.

The dimming may be arranged to last for a predetermined time, then the pin 10 moves off the step 15 and passes completely through the hole 9 causing the switch to completely out off the current by removing the switch arm projections 16 and 17 entirely from their contacts. hen a coin is inserted and the operating handle (Z rotated, a spring pressed pawl 27, which prevents backward movement of the controlling gear wheel 6, is moved by the teeth of the controlling gear wheel to release a spring actuated arm 28 to throw the switch in in the following manner. The arm 28 is normally held' in the position shown in Fig. 7 by means of a projection 30 on the arm'engaging a pin 31 on the pawl 27. WVhen the pawl is moved by the wheel 6, the arm 28- is released and is moved by the spring 29, through the medium of'a pin 32, into the position shown in Fig. 8. The pin 32 is provided with a reduced portion sliding in a slot 33 in the fixed plate 34: to which the arm 28 is pivoted at 35. The pin 32 has mounted thereon an arm 36 which is preferably pressed into frictional engagement with a shoulder on the pin 32 by a spring washer 37 to prevent too great a freedom of movement of said arm 36. A pin 38 on the arm 36 moves in a cam slot 39 for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The end 40 of the switch arm 18 is adapted to be engaged by the depending portion 11 of the arm 36 as the latter moves, with the arm 28, under the action of the spring 29 and the switch is thus thrown in.

The arm 28 is returned into normal position, shown in Fig. 7, with the projection 30 engaged by the pin 31 on the pawl 27 upon the completion of the forward movement of the operating handle d by means of a projection 42 on an arm 43 fixed to the shaft 9, such projection engaging another projection 44 011 the arm 28.

The handle (Z, is compelled to make a complete forward movement before it can be returned to normal position, by means of a ratchet 45 and pawl 46 the pawl of which may become disengaged by a fixed stop or by cam surfaces 47 and 48 at the correct time. The pawl 46 is provided with a spring adapted to press it toward the ratchet and also downward so that when disengaged from the ratchet by the cam surface 47, it rides freely upon the periphery of a disk 49 secured to the ratchet. The handle d moves slightly more than a half turn and when returned to its normal position the cam surface 48 causes the pawl 46 to again engage the ratchet.

After the spring actuated arm 28 has thrown the switch in through the medium of the arm 36 it continues its movement slightly so as to cause the projection 41 on the arm 36 to move out of the path of the switch arm 18 by means of the cam slot 39 so that the said arm 18 may be moved independently to throw the switch out. This device is necessary in order that the switch may be out when the pin 10 enters the hole 9 as aforesaid even though the operating handle d and coin holder have been left in an intermediate position.

Upon starting the meter the action of rotating the operating handle cl rotates the disk 8 and also moves the pawl 27 to cause the switch to be thrown in. As the pin 10 is not thrown out until a slight rotation has been given to the disk 8 the arm 11 carrying the pin 10 is not rigid with its rotating spindle 12 but is elastically mounted thereon to allow of such movement. Such elastic mounting is provided for by mounting the arm 11 loosely on the spindle l2 and providing a spring 50 to normally press the arm in engagement with a. screw or like projection 51 rotating rigidly with the spindle 12.

In order to prevent over-running of the controlling gear wheel 6 the holes 5 in the circumferentially perforated disk 4 are adapted to be engaged by a projection 52 mounted upon an arm 53 pivoted to the rear leaf at 54.

When the coin holder is in its normal position the rear end of said pivoted arm 53 is engaged by the catch member u on the front leaf above described so as to hold the projection 52 in engagement with one of the perforations 5. The projection 52 remains in such engagement until the rear leaf a is arrested and the front leaf I) moved on, the consequent movement of the catch to releasing the pivoted arm 53 which then moves under the action of a spring 55 (see Fig. 1) to release its projection 52 from the perforated disk 4. The downward movement of the projection 52 is limited by the engagement of the rear end of the arm 53, with a stop 56 on the catch a.

Means are preferably provided for closing the coin slotin a containing casing for the mechanism so that a fresh coin cannot be inserted until the parts are returned to normal position. These means consist of a projection 57 mounted on the front leaf I) (see Fig. 12) adapted to engage a slot 58 in a member 59 sliding on a bracket 60. The external casing (not shown) the bracket 60 and the slider 59 are all provided with an opening for the coins in alinement with the opening it. l/Vhen the leaf 6 is rotated the slider 59 is moved forward so that its coin opening is out of alinement with h and the projection 57 then leaves the slot 58. Upon the return of the leaf 1) the projection again engages the slot 58 and restores the slider to normal position.

Although the electricity meter has been described as applied to a lighting system it is obvious that it could also be applied to electricity required for other purposes in which case a light for warning the consumer by dimming could be used if desired or omitted. Any usual indicating means 61 for showing the quantity of the commodity that can be obtained without further payment, or the total quantity obtained may be used.

When the commodity to be controlled is gas instead of electricity the apparatus is preferably constructed as shown in Figs. 1013. The commodity controlling means in this case consist of worm and screwed spindle mechanism operating in a well known manner and as particularly described in British specification No. 8438/1908.

The train of gearing 7 in this case drives a screwed spindle 62, and the spindle 63 driven by the outflowing gas operated the worm which engages the screwed spindle 62 and carries a valve closing member 64. The parts of this apparatus are designated by similar characters as the equivalent parts in the electricitv meter but the pawl 27, in the gas meter instead of engaging the wheel 6 engages the holes 5 in the disk 4 and does not, of course, operate to release a switch.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of pivoted plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for controlling the commodity, means for arresting one of said plates and the commodity controlling means at the same time, and

means for allowing a further movement of ing said plates by the operating handle,

means for arresting the coin in a predetermined position, means for simultaneously arresting the commodity controlling means, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

3. In a coin freed mechanism for supplyan operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means whereby a predetermined amount of the conmodity is obtainable by arresting one of the plates .in a predetermined position and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

4:. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means formoving said plates by said handle, means for arresting one of said plates at difi'erent distances according to the value of the coin inserted, means whereby an amount of the commodity corresponding to the movement of the arrested plate is obtainable, means for continuing the movement of the other plate, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

5. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together means for arresting coins of difierent values in differentpredetermined positions within the coin holder, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by said operating handle, a series of fixed stops each adapted to be engaged by a coin of one value when the plates are moved by the operating handle and allow a movement of one plate equivalent to -the coin inserted, means whereby an equivalent amount of the commodity is obtainable and means for continuing the movement of the other plate and ejecting the coin from the holder.

6. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity front and rear plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, a positive driving connection between said operating handle and the front plate a spring catch for normally locking the two plates together, means whereby a predetermined amount of the commodity is obtainable by arresting the rear plate in a predetermined position, and means for ejecting the coin from the ing a commodity a pair of pivoted platesv forming a coin holder when close together,.

holder by a continued movement of the front plate.

7. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity,a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for normally locking the plates against such movement, means for releasing the locking means upon the insertion of a coin, means whereby apredetermined amount of the commodity is obtainable by arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

8. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity a pair of' plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for normally locking the plates against such movement, means for releasing the locking means upon the insertion of any coin, means for arresting one of said plates at difierent distances according to the value of the coin inserted, means whereby an amount of the commodity, corresponding to the movement of the plates, is obtainable means for continuing the movement of the other plate, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

9. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for normally locking the plates against such movement, a series of arms pivoted toone of said plates each adapted to arrest a coin of particular value in a predetermined position, means for releasing the locking means upon engagement of a coin with any of said arms, means for arresting one of said plates at different distances according to the value of the coin inserted, means whereby an amount of the commodity, corresponding to the movement of the plates, is obtainable means for continuing the movement of the other plate, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

10. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means whereby a predetermined amount of the commodity is obtainable by arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position means for allowing the other plate to be moved on a projection on the latter plate adapted to engage the coin and a slot in the arrested plate through which said projection is adapted to pass and eject the coin.

11. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by said handle, means for arresting one of said plates at difl'erent distances according to the value of the coin inserted, means whereby an amount of the commodity corresponding to the movement of the arrested plate is obtainable, means for continuing the movement of the other plate, a series of projections on the latter plate each adapted to engage a coin of one particular value when inserted, and a series of slots in the arrested plate through which said projections are adapted to pass to eject any coin.

12. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means whereby a pre determined amount of the commodity is ob tainable by arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position, means for arresting said plate comprising a fixed stop adapted to engage the coin through a notch in the edges of the plates, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

13. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by said handle, means for arresting one of said plates at different distances according to the value of the coin inserted means for arresting said plate comprising a series of fixed stops each adapted to engage a coin of particular value through one of a series of notches in the edges of the plates, means whereby an amount of the commodity corresponding to the movement of the arrested plate is obtainable means for continuing the movement of the other plate, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

14. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position, mechanism operated simultaneously with said plate for controlling the amount of commodity obtainable means for positively preventing movement of said mechanism when said plate is arrested, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

15. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by said handle, means for arresting one of said plates at different distances according to the value of the coin inserted, mechanism oper ated simultaneously with said plate for controlling the amount of commodity obtainable, means for positively preventing movement of said mechanism when said plate is arrested, means for continuing the movement of the other plate and means for ejecting the coin from the holder.

16. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates forming a 'coin holder when close together, an operatinghandle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position, mechanism operated simultaneously with said plate for controlling the amount of commodity obtainable, means whereby said mechanism moves in the forward direction only, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

17. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity, a pair of plates for forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means for arresting one of said plates at different distances according to the value of the coin inserted, mechanism operated simultaneously with said plate for controlling the amount of commodity obtainable, means whereby said mechanism moves in the forward direction only, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the other plate.

18. In a coin freed mechanism for supplying a commodity a pair of plates forming a coin holder when close together, an operating handle, means for moving said plates by the operating handle, means whereby a predetermined amount of the commodity is obtainable by arresting one of the plates in a predetermined position, a coin slot adjacent the plates when in their normal position, a projection on one of the plates, a slider adapted to move across the coin slot, means for moving said slider by said projection to close the coin slot when the plates are moved forward and to open the slot when returned, and means for ejecting the coin from the holder by a continued movement of the plate which is not arrested.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES EDI/VIN HIBBERD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

